Proximity based selection of an implantable medical device for far field communication

• US 8,995,949 B2
• Filed: 01/03/2014
• Issued: 03/31/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 01/13/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Medtronic Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Medtronic Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Roberts, Earle T., Villalta, Donald L., Slack, David S., Ali, Irfan Z., Raghavendran, Sudheendhar, Torgerson, Nathan A., Sipple, Garrett R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Porter, Jr., Allen
• Application Number:
  US14/147,311
• Publication Number:
  US 20140120841A1
• Time in Patent Office: 452 Days
• Field of Search: 607/60, 607 30- 32, 607/59, 455/404.1, 455/41.2, 455/421
• US Class Current: 455/404.1
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/37217 characterised by the communication link, e.g. acoustic or tactile
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/37252 Details of algorithms or data aspects of communication system, e.g. handshaking, transmitting specific data or segmenting data
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/37282 characterised by communication with experts in remote locations using a network
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2209/805 Lightweight hardware, e.g. radio-frequency identification [RFID] or sensor
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2209/88 Medical equipments
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/0492 by using a location-limited connection, e.g. near-field communication or limited proximity of entities
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/18 using different networks or channels, e.g. using out of band channels cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for key distribution involving distinctive intermediate devices or communication paths H04L9/0827; cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for authentication using a plurality of channels H04L9/3215
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/12 specially adapted for proprietary or special-purpose networking environments, e.g. medical networks, sensor networks, networks in vehicles or remote metering networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 9/3271 using challenge-response
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/06 Authentication
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/80 Services using short range communication, e.g. near-field communication [NFC], radio-frequency identification [RFID] or low energy communication
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 8/005 Discovery of network devices, e.g. terminals
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/06 adapted for operation in multiple networks or having at least two operational modes, e.g. multi-mode terminals

Abstract

Devices and systems provide for proximity based selection of an implantable medical device for far field communication with an external device. By using a proximity communication that is limited to the IMD of interest during the selection process, the external device can eliminate those IMDs that are in range of far field communications but are able to receive the proximity communication. Thus, information may be shared via a proximity communication that is validated via a far field communication, or shared via a far field communication as a challenge and then validated via a proximity communication. The proximity communication may be used to initially limit the number of devices that respond to a discovery request and then subsequently used to select the intended implantable medical device as well as automatically select the appropriate therapy application corresponding to the selected IMD.

Claims

1. A method of establishing communication between an external device and an intended implantable medical device, comprising:

transmitting from an external device that is unaware of an identifier value of the intended implantable medical device a proximity communication to the implantable medical device, the proximity communication comprising a value that is unique to the external device;

transmitting a far field discovery communication from the external device, the far field discovery communication being a far field inquiry from the external device to all implantable medical devices within range of the external device;

after transmitting the far field discovery communication, receiving at the external device a far field response communication from a responding implantable medical device, the far field response communication comprising an identifier value that is unique to the responding implantable medical device and a second value;

comparing at the external device the second value to the value that is unique to the external device; and

if the second value is the same as the value that is unique to the external device, then confirming from the second value that the responding implantable medical device is the intended implantable medical device such that the identifier value of the responding implantable medical device is the identifier value of the intended implantable medical device and exchanging information at the external device with the responding implantable device using far field communication by the external device receiving from the responding implantable medical device the information together with the identifier value that is unique to the responding implantable medical device;

confirming by the external device for all subsequent far field communications with the responding implantable medical device that the far field communication is from the intended implantable medical device on the basis of the responding implantable medical device including the identifier value that is unique to the responding implantable medical device in the far field communications.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the proximity communication to the intended implantable medical device further includes an encryption key.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein exchanging information with the responding implantable medical device using far field communication comprises decrypting the information with the encryption key.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein exchanging information with the responding implantable medical device further comprises using far field communication by transmitting the information in conjunction with the value that is unique to the external device.

5. A system for establishing communication, comprising:

an external device and an intended implantable medical device, wherein the external device is unaware of an identifier value that is unique to the intended implantable medical device and the external device is configured to;

transmit a proximity communication to the intended implantable medical device, the proximity communication comprising a value that is unique to the external device;

transmit a far field discovery communication, the far field discovery communication being a far field inquiry from the external device to all implantable medical devices within range of the external device;

after transmit the far field discovery communication, receiving a far field response communication, the far field response communication comprising an identifier value that is unique to a responding implantable medical device and a second value;

compare the second value to the value that is unique to the external device;

if the second value is the same as the value that is unique to the external device, then confirm from the second value that the responding implantable medical device is the intended implantable medical device such that the identifier value of the responding implantable medical device is the identifier value of the intended implantable medical device and exchange information with the responding implantable device using far field communication by receiving the information together with the identifier value that is unique to the responding implantable medical device; and

confirm for all subsequent far field communications with the responding implantable medical device that the far field communication is from the intended implantable medical device on the basis of the responding implantable medical device including the identifier value that is unique to the responding implantable medical device in the far field communications.

6. The system of claim 5, wherein the proximity communication to the intended implantable medical device further includes an encryption key.

7. The system of claim 6, wherein the external device exchanges information with the responding implantable medical device using far field communication by decrypting the information with the encryption key.

8. The system of claim 5, wherein the external device exchanges information with the responding implantable medical device using far field communication by transmitting the information in conjunction with the value that is unique to the external device.